Welder Hourly Pay in Hot Springs, AR: $23.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a welder working in Hot Springs, AR runs $23.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,251 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Weighted against Hot Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,954 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Welders in Hot Springs, Arkansas, earn a median hourly pay of $23.20, which is substantially lower than the national average of $26.87. For part-time workers, such as those earning $23.20 hourly while working three days a week, this translates to significant financial strategies, often working in settings like fabrication shops or on job sites for pipeline and refinery projects. The hourly pay range for welders in the area spans from $17.77 at the 10th percentile to $28.97 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for both entry-level and experienced welders to find opportunities that align with their skill sets. The numbers are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which provides a window into local compensation trends for this essential trade.
Welder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.77 | $142.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.80 | $150.41 |
| Median (P50) | $23.20 | $185.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.02 | $192.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.97 | $231.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hot Springs
Based on $23.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.20/hr, a welder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hot Springs, AR can expect to earn approximately $48,256 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,840. With a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hot Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hot Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $928.01 | $4,021 | $48,256 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.80 | $2,413 | $28,954 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.20 | $1,609 | $19,303 |
Compare WLD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Welder (Hot Springs) | $23.20 |
| Machinist (National Avg) | $25.72 |
| Sheet Metal Worker (National Avg) | $28.93 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Boilermaker (National Avg) | $35.08 |
Welders in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $48,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.68% lower than the national median of $55,895 and 2.20% below the Arkansas state average of $49,337.
Welder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.20/hr = $28,954/year (purchasing power: $33,773).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,256/year (purchasing power: $56,289).
CoL index: 85.73 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Welders in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for welders in Hot Springs grew 42.7% from $15.63/hr (2019) to $22.31/hr (2025). At a 3.99% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.13/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem welders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Welder in Hot Springs
When considering the potential earnings from part-time work, those who weld just three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, can expect to see earnings substantially lower than full-time counterparts but still viable. Utilizing per-diem options, traveling welders can supplement their base pay significantly, with agencies frequently offering between $80 and $175 a day, in addition to base pay ranging from $40 to $70 an hour. The financial dynamics shift considerably for specialized roles, as those in refinery turnarounds or on cross-country pipeline projects may command $50 to $80 an hour plus bonuses for weekend shifts, reflecting the nature of their assignments. Different employer types—such as structural fabrication shops, shipyards, and oil and gas companies—offer varied hourly rates, often influenced by the trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits like health insurance. Being aware of the local market conditions in Hot Springs allows welders to effectively negotiate their hourly wages, ensuring they align with prevailing standards while considering the financial advantages of specialized certification and experience.
More salary data for Hot Springs, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder
Career Analyst
James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for welders in Hot Springs. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov